UnderFire Read Online Free Page A

when I get elected mayor.” He pointed at Kathleen again. “You’re even
worse. I can tell by looking at you. You have rebellious written all over you
and it should be controlled.”
    Kathleen saw red but she drew in a deep breath to restrain
herself. Just barely. Jake made a disgusted sound and she knew he planned to
say something biting to the asswipe.
    She clasped Jake’s arm and shook her head. “This one’s mine.”
    He nodded, and satisfaction ran through her like fine wine.
    She knew she should ignore Bob’s brand of ridiculous but he’d
touched a place deep inside she’d left buried for a long damn time. Memories
surfaced and dug into her skin like birds’ talons. Any other time, any other
place, and she would have walked away. Trapped in this room with this creep and
facing possible injury or death had stripped away a layer of her tolerance.
    Holding back was no longer an option.
    She stood slowly and took the few steps necessary to reach Bob.
“Well, guess what? You don’t control Charity and you don’t control me. Right
here and right now you don’t have a damned thing to say about what we do, when
we do it or how we do it. So do me a favor and don’t speak to either of us
again.” She glanced at Charity. “That all right with you?”
    Charity smiled widely. “More than all right with me.”
    “Ditto,” Mike said.
    “Works for me,” Jake said.
    Bob’s mouth opened and closed and a few seconds later he
walked around the shelving and headed to the door.
    “Where is he going?” Mike asked even though it was obvious.
    “Damn it.” Jake hissed the curse and headed for Bob. “Bob,
get back here.”
    Kathleen followed. “Let him. He can’t move that shelving on
his own.”
    Bob discovered he couldn’t move the shelving, and the rest
of them watched as he struggled. He soon gave up and retreated to another
corner nearby.
    “Let’s return to where we were,” Jake said.
    They retreated to the back of the room. Without Bob there,
Kathleen thought the air seemed easier to breathe. She relaxed as Jake settled
beside her. Kathleen closed her eyes and tried to believe this would all be
over soon.
    “I think I know what I’m going to do when I get out of here,”
Mike said.
    Charity swept her feathery hair back. “I’m going to dump
Shane and celebrate with an adult beverage.”
    “Adult beverage sounds really good right about now.” Jake
threw a smile Kathleen’s way. “A whiskey maybe.”
    Kathleen returned his smile. “Absolutely. Or a merlot. And a
plate of fries. I’m starving too.”
    Mike said, “Chocolate cake. Or cheesecake. My wife makes
awesome desserts. Something with about seven hundred million calories.”
    Bob appeared at the end of the bookcase. Kathleen wanted to
tell him to return to his part of the room.
    “Is your woman a housewife?” Bob asked Mike.
    Mike’s mouth popped open but for a moment he couldn’t seem
to formulate an answer. “No. She’s a secretary.”
    Bob planted his hands on his hips again. “Well, I don’t
suppose it’s that bad. You must have to keep an eye on her, though.”
    “What?” Mike’s eyes widened and he took his glasses off and
peered at Bob. “Are you serious, man?”
    Bob huffed. “Of course. A woman out in the workplace can’t
always be trusted.”
    Kathleen must have tensed again because Jake leaned in and
whispered in her ear, “Ignore him.”
    She gritted her teeth and turned a glare on Jake. But she
didn’t say a word. When Bob didn’t get a response, he returned to the front of
the room.
    What seemed like forever passed by before a text from Lena
came over Kathleen’s phone.
    Are you guys doing all right?
    Kathleen texted back. We’re okay. What about you?
    Fine. Glad Jake is with you. You’ll be out soon.
    Crossing my fingers.
    Looks like S.W.A.T. is taking down the bad guy now. They’re
coming in.
    Loud noises echoed around the building, including shouts.
    “Something is going down,” Charity said, slowly